What does Bushido mean?

The word bushido in Japanese means "the way of the warrior."

True Bushido code

The Bushi or Bushido warriors believed that they had to obey their master. This allegiance between the Bushido warriors and their masters came before anything else including friendship and family ties. This concept of honor or bushido code is sometimes difficult to understand in the western and modern civilizations since in the western teachings and in modern societies, family comes first.

The importance of Bushido for Japanese Samurai Warriors

The Japanese samurai warriors were well-known for valuing their Bushido code. Valuing their honor above all things, in the same way as medieval knights of Europe valued their honor.

Born and raised with true Bushido code, a true Bushido warrior was always alert, on guard, and ready to do battle on his master 's behalf. A bushido warrior was prepared to give his life in his master 's service. A Bushido warrior would always rush into the fiercest fighting, eager for glory. A true Bushido warrior would not retreat unless ordered to do so, and would never allow himself to be taken prisoner. A true Bushido warrior would rather die than be ashamed as in the case of taken prisoner.

The way of the samurai warriors demanded perfection in matters of honor, both on the battlefield and in daily life. A samurai was also expected to be able to write, understand poetry and perform traditional dances.